Ajaokuta Revival: Why CSO Deserves Membership of APPIT

By Kayode Adeyemo/ABUJA// Non state Actors, NSAs numbering over 100 have urged President Muhammadu Buhari to give slots to civil society representatives in the Ajaokuta Presidential Project Implementation Team, APPIT.

This, according to them will give sense of belonging to the people, especially as the demand for the revival of Ajaokuta Steel Company heightened to a level never before.

While rounding up at a one-day national conference on Ajaokuta Steel Project and President Muhammadu Buhari Industrialization Agenda, the NSAs comprising unionists from the steel sector, non-governmental organisations, NGOs, community based organisations and media made the demand as part of the resolution of the participants at the conference.

The inclusion of representatives of CSOs in the composition of APPIT, the participants argued, will enhance more confidence in the sincerity of the Buhari administration to deliver on its promise to revive the moribund Ajaokuta Steel Company.

Further, the participants observed that while the ongoing efforts by the President is commendable, the involvement of CSOs in the implementation process will help greatly in making the members work according to promise.

It will also serve as a feedback mechanism to the general public who are anxious daily to see results from the APPIT since it’s inauguration two years ago.

The conference which was held on Thursday November 25 in Abuja had the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, Ministers of Mines and Steel Development as well as that of Science, Technology and Innovation in attendance. Others include the Sole Administrator of Ajaokuta Steel Company Limited, the academia and the organisers private sector.